ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, March 20, 2024 – Mongolian National Rare Earth Corp LLC (“MNREC ” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce appointment of Sustainability East Asia LLC (part of Sustainability Australia) along with SLR Consulting (SLR) as the main consultant to perform the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of Khalzan Buregtei heavy rare earth project in Khovd province, Mongolia.
MNREC had been developing Khalzan Buregtei heavy rare earth project (“Project”) in Khovd province, Mongolia since 2022. As part of the development of the Project, MNREC appointed Wood Pty Ltd as the main consultant for the PFS in 2022 and is expecting to finish the PFS in August 2024. MNREC decided to prepare and submit international standard compliant Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) and is pleased to announce the appointment of Sustainability East Asia LLC and SLR.
The ESIA process involves several crucial steps, each aimed at comprehensively evaluating the potential impacts of the Project and implementing effective mitigation measures. Here's an overview of the planned activities and their corresponding completion dates:
Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Engaging with stakeholders is paramount to the success of any project. MNREC aims to foster open dialogue and collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders. The draft stakeholder engagement plan will outline strategies for effective communication and consultation and be updated periodically during project development. Completion Date: Q2 2024.
E&S Baseline Studies and Reporting: Understanding the existing environmental and social conditions is fundamental to conducting a thorough impact assessment. Baseline studies will be conducted to gather data on key environmental and social parameters, which will serve as a basis for comparison throughout the project lifecycle. Completion Date: Q2 2025.
Review of Design, Plan, and Engineering Studies: MNREC is committed to integrating sustainability principles into the design and engineering of the Khalzan Buregtei project. Sustainability East Asia LLC and SLR will review the project's design, plans, and engineering studies to ensure alignment with environmental and social requirements. Duration Date: Q2 2024.
Assessment of Impacts: This phase involves the assessment of potential environmental and social impacts associated with the project. Sustainability East Asia LLC and SLR will employ various methodologies and tools to evaluate the significance of these impacts on the surrounding environment and communities. Completion Date: Q2 2025.
Development of Environmental and Social Management Plans: Based on the findings of the impact assessment, comprehensive environmental and social management plans will be developed. These plans will outline strategies for mitigating adverse impacts, enhancing positive outcomes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Completion Date: Q3 2025.
MNREC remains committed to transparently communicating the progress of the ESIA process and actively engaging with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. By prioritizing sustainability and responsible practices, MNREC aims to create lasting benefits for both the environment and local communities.
About MNREC
MNREC's wholly owned Khalzan Buregtei deposit is one of the largest rare-earth deposits, featuring higher 'heavy' rare earth element (REE) content.
About Sustainability and SLR
Sustainability
Sustainability is an International consultancy and management services firm specializing in providing environmental, social, occupational health, safety management and leadership coaching services for clients across the globe with offices in Australia, Singapore, South Africa, DRC and Mongolia, and an operational footprint in Canada and West Africa. Sustainability East Asia LLC was established in 2008 to provide seamless service to our clients in Mongolia. Sustainability places great emphasis on supporting organisations to develop affordable, practical and sustainable solutions.
SLR
SLR Consulting is a privately owned international sustainability consultancy with offices in Europe, North America, South America, Australasia, and Africa. Its purpose is ‘Making Sustainability Happen’, which it achieves through its global team of expert advisors and technicians, who partner with clients to tackle some of the world’s most complex sustainability challenges.
Contact Information
Mongolian National Rare Earth Corp LLC
Munkhjargal.Ch (munkhjargal@mnrec.mn), Project Director
Ulaanbaatar City, Sukhbaatar District, 1st Khoroo, Peace Avenue – 19, Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia HQ, F14
Tel: (+976)-7505-1801